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The Nature Island

Passports must be valid for at least six months from the date of departure. Visas are not generally required by Commonwealth nationals. Prohibited imports include certain plant material including avocados, bananas, coconuts and coffee; and animal products.

Travel within the country:

Driving is on the left. An international driving permit is recommended, though a foreign driving licence can be used to obtain a temporary visitor’s permit for drivers between the ages of 25 and 65.

Bus services connect towns and villages. Taxi rates are set by law and drivers do not expect to be tipped.

Adventure activities, fascinating wildlife, history, culture, beautiful landscapes, sunshine and friendly people – all of these can be found in Dominica

Throughout its history the fertile island of Dominica has attracted settlers and colonisers and has been the subject of the military, and often bloody, squabbles of European powers. At the time of Columbus’s visit on a Sunday (dies dominica) in November 1493, the island was a stronghold of the Caribs from South America who were driving out the Arawaks. In 1627 the English took theoretical possession without settling, but by 1632 the island had become a de factoFrench colony; it remained so until 1759 when the English captured it. In 1660 the English and French agreed to leave the Caribs in undisturbed possession, but in fact French settlers went on arriving, bringing enslaved Africans with them. Dominica changed hands between the two European powers, passing back to France (1778) and again to England (1783). The French attempted to invade in 1795 and 1805 before eventually withdrawing, leaving Britain in possession. –

In 1833 the island was linked to Antigua and the other Leeward Islands under a governor-general at Antigua, but subsequently became part of the Federation of the Leeward Islands Colony (1871-1939) before becoming a unit of the Windward Islands group (1940-60). Dominica joined the West Indies Federation at its foundation in 1958 and remained a member until differences among larger members led to its dissolution in 1962. Within Dominica, the formation of the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) from the People’s National Movement and other groups in the early 1960s spurred local demand for greater autonomy in internal affairs. Edward LeBlanc became chief minister in 1961.

Under his leadership, in 1967 Dominica became one of the West Indies Associated States, with full internal self-government, while the UK remained responsible for foreign policy and defence. At LeBlanc’s retirement in 1974, Patrick John succeeded as DLP leader and premier. After winning a large majority at the 1975 elections, John pursued the course agreed by the Associated States to seek independence separately.

On 3 November 1978, Dominica achieved independence as a republic within the Commonwealth, and took the name of Commonwealth of Dominica. John became its first prime minister, and Frederick Degazon the non-executive president.

In 1979 the DLP government collapsed and Oliver Seraphine of the Committee for National Salvation (CNS) was invited to form an interim government and prepare the way for elections within six months. The elections in July 1980 were won by the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) led by Eugenia Charles (who became the first woman prime minister in the region), winning 17 of the 21 seats. Patrick John, who had led the country to independence, and Seraphine lost their seats.

There were two coup attempts early in the 1980s allegedly organised by factions of the Defence Force sympathetic to the John regime. In 1985, John was himself convicted of involvement in one such attempt, and sentenced to 12 years imprisonment; the following year the former commander of the Defence Force was hanged for murdering a police officer during a coup attempt.

Eugenia Charles led the DFP to victory in the 1990 general election, but, in June 1995, shortly after her retirement from politics, the DFP lost its majority. The United Workers Party (UWP) emerged as election victor with 11 seats; the DFP and the DLP each won five. Edison James, leader of the UWP, was invited by the president to form a government.

68,000 (2011); 67% lives in urban areas; growth -0.2% p.a. 1990-2011, negative due mainly to the emigration of young people; birth rate 16 per 1,000 people (est. 26 in 1970); life expectancy 76 years (est.) The population is mostly of African and mixed African/European descent, with European, Syrian and Carib (2.9% in 2001 census) minorities. There is a Carib reserve on part of the east of the island, referred to as the Carib Territory.

Language:

The official language is English; a French-based Creole is spoken by most of the population.

Public spending on health was 4% of GDP in 2010. The health system operates through local clinics, larger health centres, a polyclinic in Roseau, and the national referral hospital, the Princess Margaret Hospital. There is a smaller hospital at Portsmouth, and cottage hospitals at Marigot and Grand Bay. Infant mortality was 11 per 1,000 live births in 2011.

Education:

Public spending on education was 3.5% of GDP in 2010. There are 10 years of compulsory education starting at age five. Primary school comprises seven years and secondary five. Some 88% of pupils complete primary school (2009). The school year starts in September.

Further education is provided at a teacher-training college; a nursing school; and at the regional University of the West Indies, which has a branch in Dominica and main campuses in Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. The Dominica State College, a publicly funded institution, offers programmes leading to GCE A-Level, certificates, and associate degrees; and a large and diverse programme of continuing education for mature students. The female-male ratio for gross enrolment in tertiary education is 3.35:1 (2008).

Media:

The Chronicle (founded in 1909), The Tropical Star and The Sun are all weekly. The Dominica Broadcasting Corporation provides a public radio service, competing with several commercial or faith stations. There is no national TV service on the island but a private cable network covers part of the country.

Communications:

Country code 1 767; internet domain ‘.dm’.The main post office is in Roseau.

There are 1,640 mobile phone subscriptions and 513 internet users per 1,000 people (2011).

Public holidays:

New Year’s Day, Labour Day (first Monday in May), August Monday (first Monday in August), National Day (3 November), Community Service Day (4 November), Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Religious festivals whose dates vary from year to year include Carnival (two days in February/March), Good Friday, Easter Monday and Whit Monday.

Recent Posts

Tiny but perfectly-formed Dominica is one of the most naturally dramatic islands of the Lesser Antilles. This beautiful island with its verdant mountains, lush valleys and dense tropical rainforests is still off the mass-tourism trail.

However, cruise ships, hikers, scuba divers and nature-lovers are starting to discover this gorgeous 'Nature Island of the Caribbean'. This second edition offers practical information on the growing health and wellness holidays, weddings and yachting parties as well as extended coverage of the rich cultural heritage. There is a new chapter on the highly popular Waitukubuli National Trail.The author is resident in the country so has detailed insider knowledge.